Combination doll house and toy chest



P 1968 c. CALLIN ETAL 3,400,485

COMBINATION DOLL HOUSE AND TOY CHEST Filed March 5, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 u 1 I I 52 50 24 gg r25 I l \4/ 1 V 22 INVENTORS FIG, 3 4 CHARLES CALLIN HAROLD R. GILLESPIE ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,400,485 COMBINATION DOLL HOUSE AND TOY CHEST 'Charles Callin, 136 N. Walnut, Wood Dale, lll. 60191, and Harold R. Gillespie, 110 Douglas Drive, Hoffman Estates, Ill. 60172 Filed Mar. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 531,405 16 Claims. (Cl. 4611) This invention relates generally to toys, and more particularly relates to a combination doll house and toy storage chest.

Known toy storage chests have comprised an ordinary box having side walls, a bottom wall and a top which in some instances is hinged. Such chest-s have utility for the storage of toys and perhaps for use as a seat but in general they are not a useful toy.

The present invention has as its principal object a construction to provide storage of toys and as a place within which toys may be played with and enjoyed as, for example, a doll house. Such is therefore of a benefit and is to be useful to both adults and children. The device is useful both in homes where children reside and in homes to which children come as visitors. One important feature thereof is that the device can be stored easily in an out of the way place, such as a closet, with its doll furniture, dolls, and other play articles stored therein.

Basically the present invention provides a combination doll house and toy storage chest having one exterior wall or at least a portion thereof removable to provide accessibility and visibility to the storage area therein for play purposes. By reinserting the removable wall portion as a divider or a partition within the storage area, the toy chest is adapted to use as a doll house. A feature thereof is that it comprises intermediate trays of similar construction which have the dual function to provide intermediate stories for the doll house and also additional toy storage area. A further feature is that the toy chest is transportable from one area to another by a handle provided for grasping and by means joining the various sections or trays into an integrated unit.

Thus a further object of the present invention is to provide a toy combining the features of a doll house and a toy storage chest.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a toy storage chest having a removable wall portion adapted for reinsertion within a toy storage area to convert the device from use as a toy chest to use as a doll house having at least two rooms.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy chest having easy accessibility to a visible storage area.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a structure which may be easily and quickly reassembled as a toy chest and easily and quickly stored or transported with toys therein.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a structure which is simple in construction and may be readily mass produced at low unit cost.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, given for the purpose of disclosure, and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like character references designate like parts throughout the several views and where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination doll house and toy storage chest having suitable representations thereon to provide a house-like appearance;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment having a multi-layer construction;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing a removable section in a wall thereof and in a broken away portion, means holding said removable section in an upright position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing means detachably joining adjacent sections;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a bottom wall; and

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of my invention.

Referring now more specifically to the several views comprising the drawings and first to FIGURE 1, a toy 1% comprising the features of a doll house and a toy storage chest, is shown having suitable representations 12, such as doors and Windows, thereon to provide a houselike appearance for the total structure. The toy 10 is constructed of plastic or plastic derivatives, however, other suitable materials may be used, and is dimensioned to fit easily within the average closet. For example in one form it will have the following approximate dimensions: 24" long by 18" wide by 16" high.

The combination doll house and toy storage chest comprises at least a bottom section 14 and a removable cover section 16. One or more intermediate storage sections 18 may be positioned between the bottom section 14 and the removable cover section 16 to add storage space or an additional floor to the doll house, if that is desired. The intermediate storage area 18 may also be omitted.

The bottom section 14 is formed as a rectangularly shaped box having three side walls 20, a rear wall 24, a bottom wall 22 and an open top. A removable wall portion 26 is included in the rear wall 24 thereof.

Each intermediate storage section 18 is formed as a rectangularly shaped box having three side walls 28, a rear wall 32, a bottom wall 36 and an open top. A removable wall portion 34 is included in the rear wall 32 of the section 18 and which corresponds to the side of the bottom section which contains the removable wall.

The removable cover section 16 has a roof 35 having a gable-shaped cross section and a bottom wall 36 (FIG. 4). The bottom wall 36 is adapted for closing the open top of a section positioned therebelow in an abutting relationship. The cover section 16, bottom section 14 and each intermediate story section 18 are similarly sized with respect to one another and are adapted to register with one another. That is, the bottom wall 36 of the cover section 16 closes the open top of either an intermediate story section 18 or the bottom section 14 and the bottom wall 3% of an intermediate section 18 closes the open top of either the bottom section 14 or another intermediate story section 18.

In the apex of the roof line, a recessed area 38 provides hand access for grasping handle 40 to carry the chest from one area to another. Sliding means are provided on the under surface of the bottom section 14 and in the illustrated embodiment, integrally formed ballshaped feet 42 provide such means.

In the illustrated embodiment the rear wall 24 containing removable wall 26, includes end sections 23 and 25 and a lateral web which extends transversely across the top edge of the rear wall 24 and with the adjacent edge of bottom wall 22 defines an opening which is vacated by removal of the removable wall portion 26, and integrally connects the two spaced apart end portions 23 and 25 of the wall 24 to provide a rigid shape retaining structure.

The removable wall portion 26 has a plurality of pins 44 (FIG. 5) spaced along a bottom edge 46 thereof. Pins 44 are adapted to fit into associated recess means, such as holes 48 provided in the bottom wall 22 or a peripheral upstanding lip portion immediately below the portion 26. When the portion 26 is positioned in the plane of the wall 24, means in the "form of spaced studs 52 are .also provided along the upper edge of the removable wall portion which removably seat in recesses 54 and cooperate with pins 44 and holes 48 for holding said removable wall portion 26 upright and in place. The pins 44 could be relied on alone to hold portion 26 upright but the upper studs 52 provide positive closing of the opening to prevent the toys from falling out when the chest is carried.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a removable wall portion 26 which occupies the area between the upper surface 15' of the bottom wall 22 and the underside of the tray or cover section thereabove. Thus in this modification connecting web 50 has been omitted. In this embodiment a plurality of studs 52' formed along the upper edge of the removable wall portion 26 are adapted to fit into aligned recesses 54 formed in the under surface of a bottom wall 30 of a section positioned in an abutting relationship thereabove. The aligned recess 54 may be formed in the under surface of a bottom wall of the cover section or in an intermediate story section.

To facilitate removal or repositioning wall 26, the length of the pins 44, 52 and depth of the receiving recesses 48 and 54-, and the height of wall 26 is sufficiently less than the height of the vacated area so that the wall may be raised sufficiently to move pins 44 from their associated recess means 48 and the studs 52 to move relatively deeper into the aligned recess 54. Thereafter the removable wall portion is pivoted radially, inwardly, about studs 52 in the recess 54 from the plane of the wall to a position where it can be radially lowered without the pins 44 reentering the recess means 48 and so as to separate studs 52 from the recesses 54.

To provide at least two rooms within a section the removable wall portion 25 when removed from the plane of the wall, is adapted to be reinserted in an upright position within the section at right angles to the rear wall 24 dividing the interior of the section in half as illustrated by phantom lines in FIG. 6. Appropriately spaced openings are provided at 56 into which pins 44 snugly engage so as to hold the relocated wall portion in an erect position. The combined height of the portion 26, studs 52 and pins 44 is less than the perpendicular distance between the upper surface of a bottom wall and the lower surface of the bottom wall thereabove, and therefore the removed section moves easily therewithin. The relocation of the portion 26 thus creates two separated areas within the section.

The removable wall portions 36 in the intermediate story sections 18 are constructed in a similar fashion and are removed and reinserted in a similar method. Thus the foregoing detailed description pertains to the wall portions 36.

Means are provided for detachably joining the sections to each other. For this purpose, means are formed along the lower peripheral margin of the cover section 16 and along the lower peripheral margin of each of the intermediate story sections 18 which are in the form of a peripherally disposed upturned rigid integral lip 58 of semi-circular cross section, said lip 58' are of the same uniform cross section and spaced outwardly from the adjacent wall by a connecting web 59 (FIG. Means 60 are also formed along the upper peripheral margin of the three sidewalls and at least the two end portions 23, 25 of the rear wall of both intermediate story sections 18 and the bottom section .14. Said means 60 in this instance comprises a downwardly turned V-sectioned lip 60 of the same cross sectional size and shape and similarly spaced from the adjacent wall by a web 61. When the sections are properly stacked as illustrated in FIGURE 4, said upturned lip 58 and downturned lip 60 are in adjacent relation and have surfaces 63 and 64 in abutted relation. They are conveniently joined by a continuous clasp 62 of flexible plastic having a cross-section so that it may be threaded thereon as illustrated. It will be appreciated that means 58 and 60 are coterminous with the walls of which they are apart. Most conveniently, clasp 62 is threaded onto adjoining means 53 and 60 at one corner of the toy, and at the other three comers, the clasp curves slightly to accommodate the turn. In a modified assembly the clasp is slipped into loose engagement with the lip 66 and then resiliently snapped over lip 58 for providing a tight assembly. Downwardly turned lip '66 is longer than upturned lip 58, as shown in FIG- URE 5. The lip 60 cooperates with the clasp 62 to cover and hide the unoccupied area between the section 26 and the web 50 or bottom wall positioned thereabove.

In another form of the invention, clasp 62 is of length less than the full periphery of the tray section equal to the width of removable wall 26, and may be located to expose the upper edge of said removable wall for convenience in the removal and insertion thereof.

As described, a combination doll house and toy storage chest may comprise only a bottom section and a removable cover section. Optionally, one or more interchangeable intermediate story section 18 may be registered with and positioned between the bottom section and the cover section. In all chosen arrangements, abutting means for joining adjacent sections provide similar cross-sections and may be joined by interchangeable clasp means 62.

Thus the present invention provides an easily stored and moved toy combining the features of a doll house and toy storage chest and having a removable wall portion adapted for reinsertion within the toy storage area to convert the toy chest to a doll house having at least two rooms on each floor. When the wall portion is removed an easily accessible storage area is also provided in a toy chest.

Although I have described my invention with respect to certain specific embodiments thereof, I do not wish to be thereby limited, as various modifications of my invention are intended to be encompassed within its true spirit and scope as indicated by the following claims.

We claim:

1. A combination doll house and storage chest comprising a plurality of sections stacked one on the other, all but one of said sections comprising a tray having a bottom and four sidewalls, at least a portion of one of said sidewalls being removable to provide an access opening to the interior thereof, the one excepted section comprising a cover, and means detachably connecting each of the sections to an adjoining section in the stack.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1 including means along the bottom edge of the removable portion holding said portion upright and in place when said portion is positioned in the plane of the wall from which it is removable.

3. A combination as defined in claim 2 including holding means along the upper edge of the removable portion cooperating with the means along the bottom edge for holding said removable wall portion upright and in place when the portion is positioned in the plane of the wall from which it is removable.

4. A combination doll house and storage chest comprising a plurality of sections stacked one on the other, all but one of said sections comprising a tray having a bottom wall, three sidewalls, and a rear wall, at least a portion of the rear wall being removable to provide an access opening to the interior thereof, said removable rear wall portion being relocatable in said tray to divide the interior into two chambers, the one excepted section comprising a cover, and means detachably connecting each of the sections to an adjoining section in the stack.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4 including the removable rear wall portion having bottom edge portions adapted for removable interfitting relation with wall portions therebelow to close said access opening, the bottom wall having a portion defined perpendicularly to the access opening and with which said removable wall portion also interfits to optionally divide the interior of the tray into two chambers.

6. A combination as defined in claim 4 including the removable rear wall portion having edge portions adapted for removable interfitting relation with adjacent wall portions to hold said removable wall portion upright and in place when the portion is positioned in the plane of the rear wall from which it is removable.

7. A combination as defined in claim 5 including holding means along the upper edge of the removable rear wall portion holding said portion upright in the plane of the rear wall.

8. A combination as defined in claim 4 wherein the means detachably connecting each of the sections to an adjoining section comprises upturned lip means along the lower peripheral margin of the upper one of adjoining sections; downturned lip means along the upper peripheral margin of the lower one of adjoining sections, and clasp means joining adjacent lip means.

9. A combination as defined in claim 5 wherein the bottom edge portions of the removable rear wall portion comprise a plurality of pins spaced and the wall portions therebelow having associated recess means which receive said pins,

10. A combination as defined in claim 7 wherein the holding means along the upper edge of the removable rear wall portion comprises a plurality of spaced studs.

11. In a combination as defined in claim 4 wherein the cover has a recessed area formed therein and a handle portion spans the recessed area to provide a grasp for carrying the combination.

12. In a combination as defined in claim 5 wherein the portion defined perpendicularly to the access opening comprises spaced openings into which the bottom edge portions interfit.

13. In a combination as defined in claim 7 wherein the rear wall comprises an interconnecting web having a portion defined along the bottom thereof adapted for removable interfitting relation with the holding means along the upper edge of the removable rear wall portion.

14. In a combination as defined in claim 7 including the holding means along the upper edge of the removable rear wall portion having removable interfitting relation with bottom wall portions thereabove to close said access opening.

15. In a combination as defined in claim 8 wherein the clasp means engages both the adjacent lip means and is continuous along at least a portion thereof.

16. In a combination as defined in claim 19 wherein the bottom edge portions of the removable rear wall portion comprise a plurality of spaced pins, the wall portions thercbelow have associated holes which receive said pins, and the rear wall comprises an interconnecting we'b having associated recesses defined along the bottom edge thereof receiving the studs in a removable interfitting relation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,847,267 8/1958 Lund 4-6--15 X 2,955,763 10/1960 Shapin 461l X 3,337,983 8/1967 Ebstein 46-2l X LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

C. R. WENTZEL, Assistant Examiner, 

1. A COMBINATION DOLL HOUSE AND STORAGE CHEST COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SECTIONS STACKED ONE ON THE OTHER, ALL BUT ONE OF SAID SECTIONS COMPRISING A TRAY HAVING A BOTTOM AND FOUR SIDEWALLS, AT LEAST A PORTION OF ONE OF SAID SIDEWALLS BEING REMOVABLE TO PROVIDE AN ACCESS OPENING TO THE INTERIOR THEREOF, THE ONE EXCEPTED SECTION COMPRISING A COVER, AND MEANS DETACHABLY CONNECTING EACH OF THE SECTION TO AN ADJOINING SECTION IN THE STACK. 